Effects of calcium on stock plant growth, cutting yield, and quality in Kalanchoe blossfeldiana.

摘要

This study was carried out to determine the effects of Ca concentration of nutrient solution and foliar spray solution on stock plant growth and cutting production, and to investigate the optimum Ca concentration for the maximum cutting yield and quality in kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana 'Margrethe'). Stock plants were treated with nutrient solutions of three Ca concentrations, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 mM, with Sonneveld solution base. After the termination of this experiment, another stock plants were sprayed uniformly everyday with 3 mL per plant of 0.0, 0.5, and 1.0% CaCl2 solution to leaves and supplied with Sonneveld solution to rhizosphere. In both experiments, stock plants were applied with these solution from 6 to 14 weeks after planting. Higher Ca improved stock plant growth and increased the number and size of cuttings. Cutting growth after 21 days of cultivation was better with 3.0-6.0 mM Ca than with 1.5 mM Ca. Carbohydrate contents and the ratio of total nonstructural carbohydrates to N also became higher with increasing Ca concentration. However, Ca of 6.0 mM suppressed K and Mg absorption and altered both pH and electrical conductivity of nutrient solution. Foliar spray of 0.5% CaCl2 solution to stock plant promoted its growth, arid 0.5-1.0% CaCl2 foliar spray stimulated cutting yield, quality, and growth after 21 days of cultivation. Ca and K contents also increased as foliar spray concentration increased, whereas Mg content was not significantly affected by the treatments. Carbohydrate and starch contents increased with 0.5 and 1.0% CaCl2 spray. Thus, 0.5% and 1.0% CaCl2 spray was good for kalanchoe stock plant cultivation and 0.5% CaCl2 is more economical. In conclusion, the combination of nutrient solution with 3.0 mM Ca and 0.5% CaCl2 foliar spray is recommended for stock plant growth and cutting production without deficiency or excess damage in K. blossfeldiana 'Margrethe'..